Parrish Medical Center Reaffirms Stroke Care Excellence During National Stroke Awareness Month
May is recognized as National Stroke Awareness Month, and Parrish Medical Center proudly reaffirms its dedication to stroke prevention, rapid treatment and recovery—backed by national recognition as a certified Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission and the American Stroke Association.
Parrish Medical Center earned re-certification in January 2024, receiving The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark—symbols of the hospital’s continued excellence in stroke care and patient safety.
This distinguished certification followed a comprehensive on-site review, during which experts evaluated the hospital’s compliance with rigorous, evidence-based standards focused on time-critical stroke care, advanced treatment protocols and continuous improvement.
“Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Florida, but with swift, specialized care, outcomes can greatly improve,” said George Mikitarian, President and CEO of Parrish Healthcare. “This certification is more than an honor—it’s a reflection of our unwavering commitment to healing experiences for everyone we serve.”
Parrish Medical Center first earned Primary Stroke Center designation in 2004, becoming the first hospital in Brevard County, and third in the state of Florida, to achieve this level of certification. Every two years since, Parrish Medical Center has been successfully re-evaluated and certified, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to exceptional care.
“Being a certified Primary Stroke Center means our team is prepared 24/7 to provide rapid, lifesaving care,” said Ericka Jacobs, MSN, RN, Director of Emergency and Women’s Services at Parrish Medical Center. “When experiencing a stroke, every second counts. Patients can trust they’re receiving the highest level of coordinated care when it matters most upon being admitted to our hospital.”
Parrish Medical Center’s Stroke Program includes a designated stroke unit equipped with a team of neurologists, cardiologists, radiologists, therapists (occupational, speech, respiratory and physical) and ICU, ER and stroke unit nurses who have undergone extensive training to become certified in stroke assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
During National Stroke Awareness Month, Parrish Medical Center reminds the community that every second counts when experiencing a stroke. Early recognition and rapid treatment can save lives and drastically improve recovery outcomes. Be sure to learn and share the signs of stroke using the acronym BE FAST:
- B - Balance: Is there a sudden loss of balance or coordination?
- E - Eyes: Is there sudden blurred or double vision or persistent vision trouble?
- F - Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Is it numb?
- A - Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S - Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
- T - Time: Remember the time the symptoms started. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.
Parrish Healthcare also offers a handful of free, online assessment tools to provide awareness and information about your risk for various health conditions, including stroke. To take the short online assessment for stroke risk, visit parrishhealthcare.com/strokeaware. To learn more about stroke services at Parrish Medical Center, please visit parrishhealthcare.com/stroke.
